"The 33"-Road Bike Racing - Downhill Racing

I am 17 and from Minnesota and I am interested in starting to Downhill race... I have been searching for information on the internet for the last few days with nothing that helps very much. I was wondering if anyone knew any starter sites, or information on how to start racing, like how to train, equipment, etc. I have been riding my bike my whole life and enjoy off roading. I plan on getting a new bike soon, because I dont know if the bike I currently own will be able to handle downhill racing... A pic of my current bike is attached

hey man!
i'm 3 time under21 downhill champion in the local race,
frist u need a full sudspendion bike.........
indeed that's all u need!
spend more time on the mt.

Ok sweet, I am planning on getting a bike from a buddy at work, I think it should work.. its a 1996 GT somethin or another, he doesn't recall the model, I will be taking a look at it soon, I guess it retailed at 1,800.00 when he bought it... so Im guessing its good. I looked into gear at my local Galyan's and I think that I can get everything that I need, but I dont know where I can get it cheaper. For a full face helmet, padded gloves, chest plate, knee, shin, and elbow pads, (I already have ski goggles which should work...) its 430.00 but Im thinkin theres gotta be somewhere cheaper.. please tell me if anyone knows.. thanks

alright, get your parents to "lend" you money first. Then buy a beautiful downhill bike and all the parts u need, and charge it on their credit card. Then if u dont have a job already, get one and make monthly payments on your purchases. Maybe your parents will even give you some cash towards it. I fount out this strategy works well for me hehe:). i'll try to enter for your race if i get a DH bike next year!

hey man dun buy GT's downhill bike that suck
my friend borke the most expensive GT in his first
downhill race,he had to stay in hospial for 3 month.
and the most important thing the bike boke within 3 dayz

come on.. someone else has got to have some advice for me! Please!? :-D

Ok, i'll add my $1.87 (price of gas today)... Downhill racing is expensive, plan on braking alot of things, including yourself, rims, frames, drivetrains ect. Your current bike looks like a nice XC bike, start racing that in your local races, ask your LBS about the local scene. If you want to get into downhill, you need to know how to handle your bike, downhill or not. You just cant jump into the sport, its going to take alot of years to get the skills to race DH.

Now, if you just want to race downhill for fun, get a good full suspension bike that climbs well, so you can ride upthe trail before coming down, dont plan on racing anyone, or pushing your limits too far.

Im not sure about this bike your friend wants to sell you, whats wrong with it? what does it come with, does it fit you? just dont purchase a bike becouse its cheap!

More later... any questions?

Joe is right DH rigs are expensive! You should also think of a good set of body armor and a full face helmet. Joe is also correct on things that are "cheap." I prefer inexpensive unless you talk department store. Anyway you need to get a bike that fits. You need a bike you can handle. You need a bike that is reliable, strong, and can take abuse. DH racing will bust up anybike I do not care what it is. Joe is correct again when he said it will bust you up as well. In DH racing I would not get the lightest stuff either. You need strength, as a matter of fact the heavier the better, but do not ever compromise strength. Profile Racing makes some real nice DH stuff, probably the most hardcore DH cranks there is. SUN Racing makes some good DH rims. Wellgo magnesium platform pedals are a ggod set of DH pedals. If you want you can go to http://downhillspecialties.com/ this is a good place to start.

My advice is not to get sucked in!!!

Race your hardtail downhill, until you're happy that Downhill racing is where you want to be...ok, you might not get top places, but it's gonna teach you all the skills you need to start off.

If you buy this GT off your mate, then find out that it's only good for downhill, you'd be limiting yourself to just one facet of Mountainbiking!!!

Ride your hardtail, and give it some stick downhill!!!!!!

Rich